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Blocking Handknits

Blocking is the easiest, fastest way to take your knitting to the next level. Finish knitting projects so that they look, fit and feel as wonderful as you imagined.

Blocking brings out the best in your work. With knitwear designer and author Kate Atherley as your guide, learn how blocking makes your stitchwork pop, your knitwear fit, your projects feel soft to the touch, and so much more. Kate will teach you about blocking, drying, and caring for a huge range of fibers, as well as how to protect your projects and supplies from moths and pests. Kate will even demystify using blocking wires to create perfectly straight edges, and pinning projects to form the shape and size you desire. Plus, Kate will take you step-by-step through blocking mittens, hats, lace scarves, lace shawls, one-piece and multi-piece garments for the fabulous finish they deserve.

Lesson 5. How to Treat Your Knits

Lesson 6. Drying Your Knits

Some pieces require pins or wires when blocking to show off their stitches and shape. Kate shows you how to use these simple tools for the best effect.

42:23

Lesson 7. Blocking Your Projects

From socks and mittens to curved shawls, your creations deserve the best! You can return to this lesson again and again for tips on blocking any project.

12:39

Lesson 8. Fiber Care Guidelines

Kate discusses how to care for your knitted items and addresses that dreaded foe: clothes moths. Find out the best ways to avoid damage to your precious wool.

10:03

Lesson 9. Tips & Tricks

Kate covers a few last hints for blocking, including dealing with colorfastness, speed-drying and blocking to lengthen a garment.

"Thank you Kate for doing this class. I really appreciated every bit of information that you gave. ... It helped me to really understand what goes into blocking. I have read plenty of blogs/articles on blocking and watched YouTube, but this class by far has been the most helpful. Once again, thank you!" - GoogoocreationsBangalore, Karnataka, India

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Lesson plan

5:41

Lesson 1. Introduction

Meet your Instructor, Kate Atherley, and find out more about the class.

10:51

Lesson 2. The Importance of Blocking

Kate shows a variety of blocked and unblocked projects to show how blocking helps flatten and shape knit pieces and show off stitch patterns.

6:51

Lesson 3. When to Block

Learn how to make blocking part of your finishing process, whether you're knitting a single item or seaming together multiple pieces.

6:02

Lesson 4. How to Block

It's as simple as getting your project thoroughly wet! You can use a bucket of water or the washing machine, depending on the project and the fiber.

Lesson 5. How to Treat Your Knits

Lesson 6. Drying Your Knits

Some pieces require pins or wires when blocking to show off their stitches and shape. Kate shows you how to use these simple tools for the best effect.

42:23

Lesson 7. Blocking Your Projects

From socks and mittens to curved shawls, your creations deserve the best! You can return to this lesson again and again for tips on blocking any project.

12:39

Lesson 8. Fiber Care Guidelines

Kate discusses how to care for your knitted items and addresses that dreaded foe: clothes moths. Find out the best ways to avoid damage to your precious wool.

10:03

Lesson 9. Tips & Tricks

Kate covers a few last hints for blocking, including dealing with colorfastness, speed-drying and blocking to lengthen a garment.

The instructor

Kate Atherley, Instructor of Blocking Handknits

Kate Atherley learned to knit at a young age from her immensely talented grandmother, Hilda. However, her immersion in knitting didn't take full hold until after university, when she found herself with lots of spare time and a yarn shop around the corner. Kate started with knitting socks, then designing socks, and today, she's a knitting teacher, designer, technical editor and author. Her books include Beyond Knit & Purl and Knit Accessories: Essentials & Variations.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(36 reviews)

Incredibly Useful Info

by jennifer.2972771 on June 19, 2015

I really found this class to be useful. I've been a knitter for all of 18 months and have found that blocking is something the is never really fully explained. I have picked up tidbits here and there. Very nice to have a large amount of information about the topic in one place! I feel like now I can choose how I would like to block the piece (based on the yarn of course), and not feel like I haaaaaave to take the iron out, I really don't like that.

I really found this class to be useful. I've been a knitter for all of 18 months and have found that blocking is something the is never really fully explained. I have picked up tidbits here and there. Very nice to have a large amount of information about the topic in one place! I feel like now I can choose how I would like to block the piece (based on the yarn of course), and not feel like I haaaaaave to take the iron out, I really don't like that.

Wish I Had Seen This Class A While Ago

by justapenny on June 2, 2015

I found Kate an excellent tutor. She puts information across in a clear way. I have just ordered blocking mats, wires and pins so I am ready to block and roll.

I found Kate an excellent tutor. She puts information across in a clear way. I have just ordered blocking mats, wires and pins so I am ready to block and roll.

Very Clear

by florea936914555 on April 4, 2015

Was nervous about blocking my first ever garment but thought taking this class would help clear up some questions I was having. I was right. Very clear and concise instructions. Would defiantly recommend. I will now be blocking all my projects from now on.

Was nervous about blocking my first ever garment but thought taking this class would help clear up some questions I was having. I was right. Very clear and concise instructions. Would defiantly recommend. I will now be blocking all my projects from now on.

Very Informative

by Sheabella on April 3, 2015

I really enjoyed this class. Kate is engaging and is very clear with her instructions. I knew about blocking but did not realize what a dramatic difference it makes. Thanks

I really enjoyed this class. Kate is engaging and is very clear with her instructions. I knew about blocking but did not realize what a dramatic difference it makes. Thanks

Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now!

by laura.mul152565 on March 31, 2015

I wish I'd seen this class years ago. I remember spending ages knitting a colour work jacket and it looking so bunched up at the end I threw it away. If only I'd known.... Really good class.

I wish I'd seen this class years ago. I remember spending ages knitting a colour work jacket and it looking so bunched up at the end I threw it away. If only I'd known.... Really good class.

You'd be surprised how much there is to learn about blocking! Kate covers how to handle different fibers and project types. She demystifies pinning and using wires, and her extra tips and tricks are super-handy for any knitter.